Edmonton Police Commission hears public speakers on chief trip to Israel

CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson has the latest on how community members have reacted to the Edmonton police chief’s trip to Israel.

The Edmonton Police Commission heard from members of the public Thursday on the chief’s recent trip to Israel that has sparked calls for his resignation.

Chief Warren Driechel joined a delegation of police leaders from Canada and the U.S. on an educational trip to Israel funded by the Major Cities Chiefs Association in February.

Driechel released a statement earlier this week, saying that he stands by the choice to take the trip and views it as a valuable learning experience.

Commission chair Ben Henderson approved the trip, but said the board will be looking into its policies around approving the chief’s business travel requests going forward.

“We recognize that these instances have created hurt within the diversity of communities, have perhaps exacerbated some existing fears, which is exactly the opposite intention I think any of us had in doing this,” said Henderson at the top of Thursday’s meeting.

Just over 30 people were signed up to speak at the commission meeting, with dozens of them calling for Driechel’s resignation.

“The lack of accountability and transparency from the service and chief in regards to this trip is staggering,” said speaker Katie Ingram via video conference. “I extended a modicum of grace to the chief thinking he would at least extend an apology … he instead has doubled down in defiance that he did the right thing in going.”

Of those who spoke, only two were supportive of the chief’s trip.

One being Amir Ghahari, an Iranian-Canadian man who has lived in Edmonton since 2011, who said he came to the meeting to pay respect to Driechel.

“He made the right choice in my opinion,” said Ghahari. “Which is not found very much these days, somebody with that level of responsibility in today’s environment which is very complex, intense and requires a deep understanding of all aspects of the equation.”

After the public discussion, Driechel reiterated comments he made in his statement earlier this week.

“I continue to view this as one of many important learning opportunities I’ll have in this role,” said the chief. “At the same time, I acknowledge and recognize the comments of fear and trust in our community and those expressed by everyone here today.

“I’ve been struck by people’s openness and their willingness to engage even when they’re upset … I am committed to dialogue, learning and connection across all communities.”

Steve Shafir, co-chair of the community relations committee of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, said he takes issue with the controversy around the chief’s travels.

“There was no condemnation of the mayor for going to China on taxpayer dollars, associating with a communist regime,” Shafir told CTV News Edmonton. “But here, where the police chief has gone and associated with an ally … There is an ongoing campaign against the state of Israel and, by association, the chief having gone to Israel.”

Mousa Qasqas was at the meeting representing the Canada Palestinian Cultural Association.

“I’m a Muslim, I’m a Palestinian, I’m an Edmontonian. This affects me directly,” said Qasqas. “So the argument that this is geopolitical, or we’re doing this because we’re singling out Israel, it’s a weak, outdated cliche that they keep using, and people are seeing right through it.”

Following the meeting, Driechel expressed the whirlwind of emotions he’s experienced over the last two weeks.

“I acknowledge there’s a feeling of a lack of trust. I’ve heard that people are fearful and obviously I know there’s work to do,” said the chief. “What can I be sorry for? This is how it’s portrayed. Like I said, I’ll continue to work with the community on their concerns.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson

More to come.